Is it Possible to Resist God?

Dear friends,

I want to address a myth that's very popular in the Church today that says you cannot resist the grace of God. The irresistibleness of God's grace is actually the "I" in the Calvinist acronym TULIP. Let's see what Scripture has to say about it. But first, you should stop and pray, asking God to remove all scales from your eyes, and illuminate your heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. I find that it's best to approach God's Word this way in humility, putting aside all your preconceived notions about Him. 

Choking the Word

In His parable of the sower, Jesus told about a farmer who went out to sow his seed, which ended up falling on four different types of soil. He said, "Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants." (Mat 13:7). Later He explained this to His disciples saying, "The seed falling among the thorns refers to him who hears the Word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the Word, making it unfruitful." (Mat 13:22). 

He taught that the Word can actually be choked, thereby making it unfruitful. The kinds of things that can choke the Word are the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth. Yet we know from John's gospel that the Word is God, because it says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (Joh 1:1). If the Word is God, and the Word can be choked, making it unfruitful, then that means it is possible to allow things into your life that choke God out of it. 

Quenching the Holy Spirit

In another passage, the apostle warns the saints not to quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:19). The Greek word for quench in that verse (sbennumi) means to quench, extinguish, or go out. This means it's possible to extinguish the fire of the Holy Spirit, who is the third Person of the Triune Godhead. The Holy Spirit is not a thing or a force. He can be grieved (Eph 4:30), lied to (Ac 5:3), and quenched (1 Thes 5:19). He is referred to with the pronoun "He". Therefore, we know that He is a divine Person, and He is God. If it were not possible to quench Him, then there would be no need to warn us against doing so.

Resisting the Holy Spirit

In fact, right before the Jews who were about to kill Stephen actually stoned him to death, he said that they always resisted the Holy Spirit. He said to them, "You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Act 7:51). Not only can the Holy Spirit be lied to, grieved, and quenched, but He can also be resisted. 

Refusing Him Who Speaks

We also learn from Scripture that it is possible to refuse Him who speaks, For the apostle wrote to the Hebrews: "See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven?" (Heb 12:25). If it were not possible to refuse the Lord when He speaks, then it would not be necessary to warn us not to do so.

Closing Words

Therefore, in light of the Scriptures showing us that it's possible to choke God and His Word out of our lives, as well as refuse Him when He speaks to us, and that it's possible to quench, as well as resist God's Holy Spirit, it seems quite reasonable to me that one could also resist the grace of God. Scripture is clear that you can receive God's grace in vain (2 Cor 6:1), so it is possible to mishandle it to your own detriment. Since God's grace is not God Himself, but something He gives, then it is a fallacy to teach or believe that it cannot be resisted, when Scripture says that God Himself can be resisted.

TULIP Calvinism is not biblical. If you still have any doubts about that, talk to the Lord about it, and ask Him to confirm it. He is faithful and He will do it.

Attribution notice: Scripture taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this article, you are invited to check out the series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Sid Roth Interview: Is there a Once Saved Always Saved? Will there be a 2-State Solution for Israel?

Dear saints,

This is my response to an interview that Brandon did on his Last Days Youtube channel with our beloved brother Sid Roth. You can view the 45-minute interview at this link. Brandon did a great job with it and so did Sid. Let me share a few things about it here, along with some of my relevant articles.

Pray Without Ceasing and Be Thankful

I agree with Sid that we need to pray without ceasing and be thankful to God every day, as the Word teaches us to do (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). I covered that in my article called Whatever You Do, Do All Like This.

Praying in the Spirit in Tongues

I also agree that every believer who is truly born again is eligible to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Mt 3:11; Lk 11:13; 24:49; Ac 1:5,8, 2:38). I agree that praying in tongues (1 Cor 14:2,4-5), otherwise known as praying in the spirit (1 Cor 14:14-15; Eph 6:18; Jude 1:20), is one of the best ways to pray without ceasing.  Let me encourage you to read my articles, Baptized with the Holy Spirit and The Gift of Speaking in Tongues.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit and Fire

Brandon asked Sid how he stays on fire for God, and Sid mentioned these things that I just covered above, emphasizing the importance of remaining on fire for God. He also said that in the first-century Church, they all received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire on the Day of Pentecost. It's true. However, I'd like to add that these days, even many who've received the baptism with the Holy Spirit have never received the baptism with holy fire. I was one of those people until 2012, when I received the holy fire baptism, and the Holy Spirit began to do the most amazing, supernatural things in my life once I got the holy fire. Please read my article called Holy Fire Baptism. There are so many naysayers out there who deny the holy fire as being truly from God, so if you are one of those, then please see my series called The Holy Fire Series, which will clear that up for you. 

Daily Repentance

Sid mentioned the importance of daily repentance, which is essential for every believer. In fact, he said that he repents instantly, which is what we all should do, in order to prevent any sort of stronghold from developing in our lives. I appreciate him saying that, because many today preach a false gospel without repentance, and some even teach that repentance is a work, falsely claiming that it nullifies the grace of God, which is  a foolish error on their part. Please see my articles, The False Gospel without Repentance, and Repentance That Leads to Life.

Once Saved Always Saved (Eternal Security)

Brandon said he does not believe in "Once Saved Always Saved," which is a widely held false doctrine  that the devil has released throughout the whole earth in these last days to deceive people into hell.  Brandon said, "I believe that you can backslide and go to hell that if you don't live a holy lifestyle, if you don't live on fire for Jesus, keeping your lamp full, ready for His return at any moment, and that you can actually backslide if you're living like the world." I completely agree with that. 

He asked Sid if he thinks that "Once Saved Always Saved" is true or not, and Sid replied, "I'm 100% convinced that what Brandon said is correct, and it's not 'Once-Saved-Always-Saved;' that is dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb, dumber than dumb." Sid believes as I do that our security in Christ is conditional, which I call The Conditional Security of the Believer. I know there are many skeptics and naysayers on this topic, so if you have any doubts about what Brandon, Sid, and I are saying, then please see my series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. Nobody has ever been able to refute this from Scripture.

Avoiding Worldliness

Brandon is "right on" when he says that if you live like the world and don't live a holy life, you will end up in hell unless you repent. You will not make it in the rapture, when Jesus comes, if you are living like that (1 Jn 2:15-17; Mt 25:11-12)). Please see my article called The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, in which I talk about a pastor who ended up in hell, because of worldliness. Please also see Separation from the World.

The Glory of God

Brandon asked Sid what the glory of God is, and Sid elaborated correctly on the light that comes forth from the Lord, which has been depicted by artists as a halo around the Lord's head and those of His saints. Let me encourage you to read my article called The Light and the Glory, which explains the glory from Scripture. If you you have not yet seen my article about a dream I once had of the glory of God on Sid Roth, you can read it here on my Yeshua Messiah blog, in my article called The Glory of God Appears on Sid Roth. It's very interesting! My Yeshua Messiah blog is dedicated to reaching Jews for Jesus.

Supernatural Power for All

Brandon rightly said that all believers can walk in supernatural power. I totally agree, and would like to invite you to read my article called Supernatural Power for All Disciples. I believe it will greatly encourage you.

The Truth About Holy Living

While Brandon emphasized the need to live a holy life, and Sid agreed with that, Sid also said that holiness is only internal, not external. He said, "Holiness is based on an internal thing: on loving God." At 21:57 in the video, Sid makes the big mistake of denying that God is concerned about the external aspects of our walk, such as what clothes you wear or whether you have tattoos. He doesn't realize that our bodies are members of Christ (1 Cor 6:15), our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), our bodies are meant for the Lord and the Lord is meant for our bodies (1 Cor 6:13), our bodies are not our own (1 Cor 6:19), and we must glorify God with our bodies (1 Cor 6:20). He fails to realize that the Word of God clearly teaches us that a disciple of Christ must dress modestly, as both the apostles Paul and Peter taught (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4). I have written about this in Garments of Godliness, Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy, and Holy Living in a Perverted World. In my article, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, I report on seven people who have had divine revelations from the Lord warning that how we adorn our bodies outwardly matters to God, and that many people have ended up in hell for sins pertaining to ungodly attire and adornment. I have also written about Cross Dressing vs. Carrying Your Cross.

Sid also forgets that God clearly forbids tattoos in His Holy Word (Leviticus 19:28). Just because this verse is found in Leviticus doesn't mean it is irrelevant for a believer in Christ. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2Ti 3:16). Jesus quoted from that same chapter in Leviticus 19:18 about loving your neighbor, which He said is the second greatest commandment. 

The command that forbids tattoos is not some Jewish custom that no longer applies to believers in Jesus (Yeshua), as is the case with circumcision. The commands of God are still applicable today, except that we are free from the ritual, ceremonial, and dietary laws, which were shadows of the realities now fulfilled in Christ Himself. Let me encourage you to read my article called, Tattoos and Body Piercing, which not only addresses the Scriptural basis for why these things are wrong, but also mentions revelations that the Holy Spirit has given to people warning of the same.

Two State Solution for Israel

Brandon asked Sid whether he believes there will be a two-state solution for Israel that will result in Jerusalem being divided, and if so, what the consequences will be for America. Sid said the Bible clearly states that God owns the land of Israel and leased it to the Jewish people (Ps 105:8-11), and no court of law can break that lease. However, since the two biggest power brokers -- Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu -- are both pushing for a two-state solution, Sid believes this will inevitably happen this year. He says it is a bad idea, since he says most Palestinian people are taught from birth that their purpose in life is to kill a Jew, and are falsely taught that this is the only way they can be sure they are going to heaven (i.e., jihad). 

Brandon referred to the Abrahamic covenant in which God said those who curse Israel will be cursed (Gen 12:3); and he said he had a vision, in which he saw a major earthquake in the US along the New Madrid fault line that would happen if the US agrees to divide Jerusalem, as part of the two-state solution. He saw in his vision, while praying, that around 1,800 people will die just along the area between Texarkana, Texas and Tulsa, Oklahoma; but he said that overall, tens of thousands of people will be killed by the quake. I would like to show you a map that indicates the catastrophic destruction that would occur if there is an earthquake along the New Madrid fault line (see map at this link).

Ungodly Monetization

Let me just say a word about monetization of Christian channels like this. Throughout this video and all of Brandon's videos, viewers are forced to watch multiple ads (at least the first parts of them, for the ones that allow you to opt out at some point), which are often ungodly and even demonic. For example, there is one that shows demonic creatures (pictured left), one of which has something coming out of his belly button, at one point during the ad. You can see that it has the antichrist number 666 on it, too (displayed in red numbers above the creatures head). These are straight from hell, and yet they are being shown to viewers of a channel airing Christian content, including prayers, prophecies, and testimonies. (Sid Roth's channel, "It's Supernatural," is also monetized).

I love Brandon and Sid, and I love their hearts. I am a subscriber to both of their channels. I realize that monetizing a channel is very lucrative, but I don't think it's appropriate to use these ads, especially in light of their ungodly nature. This is not the way God has ordained that we fund His gospel work. God's ministry is to be funded God's way, not the world's way. The preacher is allowed to earn a living from the gospel (1 Cor 9), but that doesn't mean we can be yoked together with darkness or use worldly means to do so. Free-will love offerings are one biblical way to fund the gospel (Gal 6:6). Another way is for the preacher to be bi-vocational, as Paul was and as I am. I have never monetized my blogs or videos on my Youtube channel. My book, A Willing Heart to Please the Father, is also free of charge, both the hard copy and the e-book version. That doesn't make me any better than anyone else, but I am simply leading by example. For more on this important topic, please see my article The Sale of Christian Music and Art -- A Robbers' Den?

Closing Words

As I have shown in my article above, I agree with Brandon's viewpoints in this interview, and I agree with Sid on most everything he said. But with all due respect, I cannot agree with him about his statements contradicting the Word of God with regard to holiness, since holiness is not limited to internal matters of the heart. The very word "holiness" indicates total and complete consecration to God, being set apart wholly for Him, which means being "devoted to Him in both body and spirit" (1 Cor 7:34).

My aim here has been to strongly support what they said that was true, to encourage, and to provide some of my content that will further explain and confirm what they said, but also to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15), and to lovingly confront my dear brothers in Christ about their beliefs and actions (Gal 2:11-14; Mt 18:15; 1 Tim 4:2; 5:20). My hope and prayer is that Brandon and Sid, as well as their viewers, will read what I have written in this article, as well as the articles I have linked to above, and take these things before the Lord in prayer, asking Him to reveal the whole truth and nothing but the truth to them about these matters. And once they have done so, I pray that they will make any necessary changes in their lives and ministries, wherever applicable, as needed.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this article, you are invited to check out the series called The False Gospel of Eternal Security. You may also enjoy reading Can You "lose" Your Secure Position in Christ? and Is it Possible to Resist God? If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.